Museums on Screen
Hermitage Revealed takes audiences on a thrilling journey through the museum’s tumultuous history from imperial palace to state museum, and offers unprecedented access to special collections and exclusive areas that remain hidden from the public eye.
From Rembrandt to Russian masterpieces, from prehistoric artefacts to the private gemstone collection of Catherine The Great, from Michelangelo to Matisse and much, much more, the exquisite treasures the Hermitage has to offer are seemingly endless. Hermitage Revealed puts you right there among it all – exploring the art and revealing the human stories behind this great institution. Palace Byron Bay Cinema at 1pm on Sunday and Wednesday 10 September.
Caving IN
Aussie expat and indie darling Nick Cave is the subject of a new film 20,000 Days on Earth, a fictitious 24 hours in the life of the musician and international cultural icon, the debut feature by innovative visual artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, who have worked extensively with Cave on various projects over the past seven years. Rather than making a straightforward documentary, the filmmakers constructed scenarios to take place over a hypothetical day, giving Cave the opportunity to authentically respond, to talk about himself and his ideas in ways that would extract something new, meaningful and substantial. Palace Byron Bay Cinema in limited release from Thursday.
Ballina’s Cloudland
Paul Hayman’s Not Strictly Ballroom – The Story of Cloudland is one show not to be missed. The Cloudland ballroom was a Brisbane landmark for more than 40 years and was the social hub of the city during the 50s, 60s and 70s. Ballina RSL on Saturday at 8.30pm. Tix $30 at the club.
Death and Predation
Australian philosophers Richard and Val Routley were internationally renowned for their pioneering environmental philosophy. Among many topics, they tackled the issue of our seeming unconstrained predation on non-human animals for food as contrasted with our abhorrence at the suggestion that they might prey on and kill us.
At the heart of it lies a false assumption of human mastery over non-humans and the associated view that ultimately we are more valuable than anything else. Byron Philo Cafe presents a talk by Dr Dominic Hyde, a senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Queensland whose recent work has been in environmental philosophy. He has recently published an intellectual biography about the Routleys, titled Ecological Lives: the philosophical lives of Richard Routley/Sylvan and Val Routley/Plumwood. Friday at Luscious Foods on the Byron Arts and Industry Estate. From 5.30pm.
Watering the Tree of Life!
Many people know the horrible statistic that an area of forest the size of a soccer pitch is cut down every second, but feel powerless to do anything about it. Eight local women are carrying the banner for tropical reforestation by doing what they love – creating theatre.
Tree of Life, directed by Philippa Williams of Theatre of Life, is a poetical soul journey celebrating our connection to nature and, in particular, to the Tree of Life, which spans time, culture and continent as a mighty image appearing in art, poetry, story, philosophy and religion. Texts range from the 6th century BC to contemporary Australian poet Judith Wright, and are seamlessly woven together with the stunning choreography of Tracie Crockford and music by Kaia Moon.
Come along to the Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby, on Saturday and Sunday at 7.30pm to plant a tree and watch a wonderful piece of theatre. Tickets $22 and $18 concession from the Mullumbimby Bookshop. Visit the website at www.theatre-of-life.org.
A trip to Morocco with Nadine
There’s nothing more frustrating then going somewhere and not getting past the tourist route. Local art lover and owner/curator of Mullumbimby’s Art Piece Gallery spent much of her childhood with parents and grandparents in Casablanca. This year she returns to the streets, the houses and the ice-cream shops of her past and she wants you to come too.
Accompany her to the spiritual capital Fes to cook in a secret garden, Marrakesh to visit designer workshops and artist studios, and cook fish and paint in Essoeria. Of course you will be expected to ride a camel. Nadine says, ‘We’ll focus on the rich and varied food, art and design culture and explore the places that were an important part of my growing up and still inform the person I am today. We will go the imperial city of Meknes, to Marrakesh, Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, to Fes and to the Atlas Mountains, cooking our way around Morocco with some of the country’s top chefs and staying in beautifully appointed riads.’ This is an extraordinary place, made even more so in the company of an extraordinary woman. Discover Morocco with Nadine Abensur; tour dates are from the 11th to the 26th November. Call Nadine for information: 6684 3556.
Poetry Slammers
Writers at the Rails returns to the Rails with their spring show this Sunday featuring two hot young poets. Popular hip-hop poet Daniel ‘Triple Nip’ Pearson and Lismore’s Rebecca Rushbrook, who won the coveted $2,000 Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup this year. The afternoon show includes invited readings and poetry slam. Kick off at 2pm.
SNIPPETS
Exit Stage Left!
Play reading for adults, Byron Bay Library, Friday 5 Sept, 10.30am–12.30pm. More info: Meg 0474 098 428.
Lone Goat art
Lone Goat Gallery presents Exploration into Strength, an exhibition by third-year visual arts students from SCU, Judie Richardson and Emma Gardner. The show runs until 10 September. Contact Emma Gardner 0468 626 181.
